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Rookie challenges no match for New Democrat Peggy Sattler in London West

London West NDP's Peggy Sattler shakes hands with Carter McCullagh as she enters victorious into the NDP headquarters at the GoodWill building on Horton Street in London, Ont. on Thursday June 12, 2014. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

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Less than a year after taking her seat in an upset that shocked many in London West, New Democrat Peggy Sattler held onto it easily Thursday.

A rookie herself nine months ago when she took the longtime Liberal post in a byelection, Sattler beat out two political rookies — Progressive Conservative Jeff Bennett and Liberal Nick Steinburg — to remain MPP.

Introduced as “the best in the west,” by longtime London New Democrat Gina Barber, Sattler said she was humbled by the vote.

“Just as I have for the past nine months . . .I will continue to do every­thing I can to listen well, to represent your concerns and to get some changes made,” she said to a cheering crowd at the NDP after-party held at Goodwill Industries.

“I accept this victory with humility and with a renewed determination to make things better for the people of London and for the province of Ontario,” she said. “People in London West want to see greater accountability for public spending.”

Along with her supporters and family, Sattler specifically thanked Steinburg, London’s youngest candidate at 25, who arrived at Sattler’s victory party to greet her.

Since August, the Sattler, a former school board trustee and the NDP’s community safety and correctional services critic has been outspoken on problems at London’s provincial jail and other justice issues.

The city’s highest-income riding, London West was Liberal-held for a decade until Sattler won it in a byelection triggered when Chris Bentley — who doubled as energy minister — quit in the wake of the gas-plants scandal. At the time, beating two-time Tory candidate Ali Chahbar and Liberal big-name rookie Ken Coran, Sattler said the people of London west chose “someone who reflects their values and their aspirations for the future.”

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PEGGY SATTLER

Age: 53

Occupation: One-term MPP, won seat in 2013 byelection; ex-trustee and chair, Thames Valley District school board; former policy director, Academica Group

Riding profile: Held by Liberal MPP Chris Bentley for a decade, the seat was picked off by the NDP in 2013 byelection after the former energy minister resigned his seat as the gas-plants scandal blew up and Premier Dalton McGuinty left office.